Virginia and Douglas are a couple who share a special bond. They both have an intellectual disability and, in the past, have lived in residential care. They now live in a contract board situation with a family (Debbie, Steve and pre-schooler Chelsey) in Upper Hutt, and they are actively involved in their local community.

Virginia says "I work in the grocery department of the local Countdown supermarket. I've been there four years and I'm one of their best workers. I work from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm. I get heaps of work experience. We try to get more people like me to get out there and get work experience. Someone comes once a week to see us doing our jobs and check how we are going. In Countdown we see lots of people with special needs and I help them. Countdown has disabled car parks for people in wheelchairs but sometimes it's hard for people in wheelchairs to get out when there aren't ramps on the trains and there aren't enough taxis. I like my work."

"We like living with a family. We're happy and we want to stay here."

Douglas says "Virginia is a first class worker and I'm really proud of her. I work too. I've had heaps of jobs - I used to work at Pizza Hut, now I'm at KFC. I do the rubbish outside. I keep it all tidy out the back and I also do the potatoes and gravy."

Virginia has been living at Debbie and Steve's place for three years and Douglas for one. For Virginia, "I've seen Chelsey since she was a baby so I'm like her other mother. She is Douglas's special friend and he enjoys playing games on the computer with her." They both say, "We like living with a family. We're happy and we want to stay here." Douglas comments, "We have our moments but everyone has their moments. This house is good. I help with the dishwasher and the rubbish and do the bottles for Steve. Ginnie folds the washing. We've all got our chores." When comparing their current living situation with their experience in residential care they explained, "In residential care you don't get to go out much. You get told you are not allowed to do this, you are not allowed to do that. Here we can get out more and do a lot more. We don't do any courses or any training but we go to the Cossie (Cosmopolitan) Club once a fortnight. We do lots of dancing at the club. We know lots of people at the club. It's within walking distance. This house is really close to work and close to the shops. On Saturday we go out for lunch or dinner together.

"We both love dancing, and wining and dining too."

Douglas goes to church on Sundays and gives out the pamphlets. Ginny watches Coronation Street. She doesn't like to miss that. Douglas has another interest, "After work I go to do my art at Take 5. I love my art - I've sold four of my paintings. Some of my work is in an exhibition."

Caregiver Debbie says, "Douglas only works two-and-a half hours a day so he really has to watch his spending. He really loves spending money. He loves going to the shop and buying muffins."

Douglas says, "I spend some of my money on my art stuff. Virginia likes to save her money for going on holiday."

Debbie and Steve support Virginia and Douglas in caring for themselves. Douglas says, "Steve helps me to have a shave. I have epilepsy and I have to have help to get my medication right. I take my medication myself and I keep control of it. I haven't had a seizure for ages." Debbie adds, "I take Douglas swimming often - he just loves it and would love to go more often but he would need support to do that. He needs to be able to get there and he needs to be watched all the time because of his seizures." Virginia explains that, "the only thing we don't do now is meet with our friends at People First. We can't get there now since People First moved to Lower Hutt. We miss going there. We would need to get transport to get there. It would be good if they could arrange some transport for us to get there."

Both Virginia and Douglas say they feel good about themselves. They have a good relationship with their own families. Virginia comes from a family of 12. She has two brothers with special needs and one of them is in residential care not far away. She keeps in touch with him and supports him as best she can. Virginia also has a sister living close by who "supports her and helps to keep her on the right track."

Virginia and Douglas are both positive about how people treat them and say that no-one treats them rudely, although Douglas did comment, "if someone upsets me at work I just tell my boss and he has a talk to them."

Debbie explains that the couple have just lost a very dear support worker who used to visit regularly and take them out. Both Virginia and Douglas will really miss her as it takes time to build up such a great rapport with someone. Debbie and Steve are keen to find out more about the variety of services that may be available to help Virginia and Douglas.

Virginia (now 47) and Douglas (now 41) have been engaged for 11 years. They are very happy in their relationship and they are happy being part of Debbie and Steve's family. The future looks bright for them and they have no plans to make any changes to the way they are currently living.